Chapter 459
Chapter 459:
The Carson Dynamics laboratory was dead quiet at two in the morning. The only sound was the low hum of the servers and the clicking of a keyboard.
Isolde stared at the 3D model of the lunar city on her monitor. The glowing blue lines blurred together.
Every time she blinked, she saw Grayson kneeling on the carpet. She saw the white steam rising from his ruined suit.
She shoved the keyboard away. The plastic scraped harshly against the desk. She grabbed her cold coffee and took a large, bitter gulp.
Arland walked into the lab carrying a brown paper bag that smelled of grease and fries. He set it down on her desk.
“Are you still thinking about what happened tonight?” Arland asked.
“I am thinking about the laws of thermodynamics,” Isolde said, staring at the black screen of her phone. “That water was at least two hundred degrees. Even a heavy wool suit cannot block that kind of thermal transfer p>
Arland pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Arthur sent an update from the hospital,” Arland said. “Second-degree burns, covering a massive portion of his upper back. They’re talking about specialized treatments, possibly skin grafts p>
𝘍𝗈𝗅l𝗈𝗐 us on.сom
Isolde felt her fingers curl inward. Her nails dug into her palms.
“Where is Belle?” Isolde asked.
“Not a scratch on her,” Arland replied. “She is currently posting on social media, praying for Grayson’s speedy recovery and condemning workplace violence p>
Isolde let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Perfect public relations. She always wins the narrative p>
Arland studied her face carefully. He saw the tight lines around her mouth.
“Isolde,” Arland began softly. “Is there any chance he jumped in front of that water to save you p>
Isolde snapped her head up. Her eyes were hard and completely unforgiving.
“Impossible,” Isolde stated. “Arland, do not feed me that kind of hope. It is poison p>
She stood abruptly and crossed to the large glass whiteboard on the wall. She grabbed a black marker and uncapped it.
“Mr. Lee was screaming Belle’s name,” Isolde said, drawing a harsh line on the board. “Grayson loves Belle. Belle claims he moved for her. He protected the woman he loves. It is a perfect logical loop p>
She pressed the marker so hard against the glass it squeaked.
“If I start imagining that he got hurt for me, I will turn back into that pathetic woman waiting in the penthouse for a man who never looked at her.” Her breathing was fast and shallow.
Arland recognized the walls she was building. He exhaled slowly.
“Alright,” Arland said. “Let us talk about the competition then p>
Isolde took a deep breath and forced her mind to switch back into cold, calculating mode.
“Carter Sterling is coming to inspect the prototype tomorrow,” she said. “We have to get the gravity simulation system calibrated before he arrives p>
She turned to face Arland.
“I am going to win the ISSDC,” Isolde said. “I need that ten-million-dollar prize money. I need the leverage it brings for the custody battle.” She threw the marker onto the tray. “This is my only way out. Emotions are a luxury I cannot afford p>